Need a rising soulful alt-R&B artist to add to your rotation?
You’re in luck—Maya Unagi just dropped her new EP Pieces, featuring the opening track “Fool’s Gold,” an effortlessly smooth, vibey song full of R&B warmth. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to lean back, light a candle, and turn an ordinary day into a self-care ritual.
The production is textured yet minimal, with the bass playing a key role in driving the groove and giving Maya Unagi’s breathy vocals space to float effortlessly above.
Unagi’s vocal performance is reminiscent of early Jhené Aiko—gentle, restrained, confident, and quietly all-knowing.
That energy underscores lyrics like: “Fool’s gold or veneer? Either way, s** ain’t real… Got me with your optimal illusion, I thought seeing was believing, somehow I always end up losing.”
Unagi weaves in soulful riffs throughout the track that catch you by surprise and elevate the listening experience. It’s a strong display of artistry that makes it hard not to dive deeper into her catalog.
